His name was Larry, but we called him, “Louie.” Don’t ask me why. I guess it just suited him, for he seemed to like it. Three years younger than me, he was always tagging along, while keeping me busy trying to ditch him. But he was a loveable little cuss, clumsy, innocent, and quick to laugh. If he stubbed his toe, he would laugh it off, whereas, if I were to stub my toe, I would cuss like a fishmonger’s wife until it stopped hurting.

Everybody loved Louie, even four-legged and feathered friends, probably because his sympathies were so wide, and his heart was so simple and knew no guile. He was Mom’s favorite, even I knew that, and I was fine with it. Our grandmother once asked Louie what he would like to be when he grew up. Without hesitation he said, “A snowplow driver, Grandma! And I’ll give you a ride on the bumper!”

As mentioned, animals loved Louie and he loved them back. We had a pet rabbit named Thumper, who lived in a backyard patio area that was protected and comfortable. 

When Thumper died of old age it was Louie who found his limp body, and he was devastated. He wanted to bury Thumper, but also wanted our father’s advice as to where, and as father would not be home for a few hours, Louie placed our deceased Thumper temporarily in the underwear drawer of his dresser.

Well, as fate would have it, that was wash day for our mother, and she brought a load of folded clothes into our bedroom and started to put them away. I was in the kitchen enjoying some Cheerios when she opened Louie’s top drawer to deposit some clean smelling underwear,

and let out a shriek that could be heard in Carson City. She didn’t pass out, but I had to calm her nerves as she sat on the bed in stone silence.

Events like that with Thumper were almost daily occurrences with Louie. With Louie the dull times were such a rare thing as to be almost impossible. It was an adventure to grow up with him. As an adult Louie married a delightful young lady from Ireland, Goretti, and he became one of the most popular and best loved barkeepers in San Francisco. When Louie got off work at two in the morning he jumped over the bar and joined the party on the other side. Wherever Louie went from there, well, the party swung along behind, and that’s what hastened the city’s dashing barkeep to the Great Beyond.

Many of us who knew Louie have tried to use the example of his too short a life as a moderator in our personal Bacchanalian pursuits, with varying degrees of success.

Louie’s birthday is in the spring, so it’s that time of year to take a scenic hike, and lay a wildflower on my little brother’s ashes…RIP.

For audio click and scroll: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Fhv4PrH1UuwlhbnTT23zO

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 03/21/2025, Written by Leah Carter

Snow and nearly freezing temperatures are no deterrent for Lake Tahoe’s dedicated scuba divers.

“Wintertime diving — I feel like you have to be a special person to want to go diving in the cold,” says Phill Abernathy, who leads Tahoe Scuba Diving, an informal network of roughly 20 regular year-round divers in the basin. “You have to love this. I hate cold. I despise the cold. But I love diving, so here we are.” 

With a surface water temperature of 41 degrees that day, cold water diving offers its own unique set of both danger and benefits. Divers face not just increased discomfort, but also higher equipment expenses, logistics and risks. 

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Photos: Tahoe Daily Tribune – Leah Carter

Originally Published in Moonshine Ink, 03/21/2025, Written by Moonshine Ink Staff

Public Comment Period Open for Draft Sand Harbor State Park Master Plan

INCLINE VILLAGE

The Nevada Division of State Parks invites the public to review and provide feedback on the development of the Draft Sand Harbor State Park Master Plan. The comment period is open through April 14.

A master plan serves as a guiding document that outlines a vision for the future development and management of a park and lays the foundation for park improvements and enhancements. The Draft Sand Harbor Master Plan presents a preferred approach for a new layout at Sand Harbor, based on ideas gathered from the public during last year’s survey process.

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Originally Published by NTBA

NTBA is thrilled to announce the winners from the Kings Beach SNOWFEST Parade!

• Best Overall Entry: North Tahoe Public Utility District + Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe

• Best Tahoe Spirit Award: Tahoe Time Ice Cream

• Best Children’s Entry: Bowl Incline

• Most Entertaining Entry: The Wrinkle

• Best New Entry: Tahoe Dave’s Skis & Boards

• Honorable Mentions: Abel’s Landscape, Rotary Club of Tahoe City, & SOS Outreach

A huge thank you to all the incredible parade entries, our generous sponsors, dedicated volunteers, and the amazing North Tahoe community for coming together to make this event truly unforgettable!

Check Out Full Gallery of Photos

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Originally Published in The Tahoe Daily Tribune, 03/18/2025, Leah Carter

The Incline Village General Improvement District met on March 12 to approve the development contract for the Incline Beach House Project, next moves for the Skate Park Enhancement Project, goals for the 2025-26 budget workshop, and candidacy for the next General Manager of Golf Operations. 

IVGID passed a motion to approve and authorize an agreement with construction company Core West Inc. to move ahead with the full development contract for the Incline Beach House Project. Public Works Director Kate Nelson gave an overview of the project, along with a description of civil drawings provided by District Project Manager Bree Waters.

“The Incline Beach house was designed with functionality and durability at its core,” said Nelson. “Our goal was to create a modern yet understated space that allows the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe to take center stage while ensuring efficiency, longevity and just a great experience for visitors year-around.”

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Originally Published in Moonshine Ink, 3/07/2025, Staff Writers

Washoe County is launching a brand-new leadership program designed specifically for residents of the Incline Village/Crystal Bay community. This free 5-week program will address the issues and opportunities unique to North Lake Tahoe. 

The class of 2025 will have the opportunity to increase their professional and personal network with fellow community leaders across the county, while learning how local county government works.   

This program is a collaborative effort by Washoe County, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, and the Incline Village Crystal Bay Community & Business Association.  

The Washoe Tahoe Academy is open to Incline Village/Crystal Bay residents only, and participants must be able to commit to attending all five sessions, which will take place one evening per week. The first session is April 30, and the final session on May 28 will conclude with a cohort graduation.

For more information and to apply, visit washoecounty.gov/wta. The deadline to apply is March 27.  

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